Computer navigator armrest device

ABSTRACT

A portable support tray attachable to a chair arm for accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation device. The support tray includes a tray component for supporting movement of the navigation device and a mount component for tightly circumferentially engaging the chair arm. A positional interface can be disposed between the tray component and the mount component for permitting planar movement and placement of the tray component in relation to the mount component. Angular vertical orientation of the tray component can be established and maintained as needed with a ramp member positionable beneath the tray component. The portable support tray here defined permits a user to ergonomically beneficially situate a custom armrest site for operating a computer navigation device such that muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve distresses are at least reduced while navigation-device usage occurs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date and disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/229,419, filed Aug. 31, 2000.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates in general to support surfaces for computer navigation devices such as a mouse, track ball, or the like, and in particular to a portable support tray attachable to a chair arm for accommodating a navigation device such that a user is able to operate the navigation device without enduring typically uncomfortable reaching and stretching normally associated with navigator use.

[0004] With the on-going continued growth of computer uses for business, education, communication, and personal endeavors, more and more individuals are subjected to the physical rigors of computer operation. In particular, these rigors include keyboard typing, key-code command usage, and, usually of great demand, computer navigator operation as exemplified in hand movement of a computer mouse or similar navigation device. This extensive use of computer hardware, when coupled with the traditional placement of keyboard and mouse on a desk top surface in proximity to a computer screen, many times causes certain untoward medical conditions which can progress into serious afflictions that impact upon the ability to work and the overall health of the affected individual.

[0005] One major malady category is that which relates to hand, wrist, and/or arm dexterity and movement after a usually relatively lengthy time period of repetitive and/or distended limb movements. A common affliction is carpal tunnel syndrome wherein nerves within the carpal tunnels serving a hand become distressed upon repetitive hand/wrist activity and wherein surgery many times is the singular manner for relieving the condition. In any event, when reaching and twisting of hands, wrists, and/or arms continues, a minimal consequence generally is moderate to severe discomfort.

[0006] In view of the extensiveness of potential disability for millions of computer users, it is apparent that a significant need is present to help alleviate present and future health problems. Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable support tray attachable to a chair arm for accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation device, thereby significantly reducing arm, wrist, and hand stress by providing an ergonomically beneficial location for mouse operation.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable support tray having planar mobility which, upon chair-arm engagement, permits limited movability to achieve comfortable placement for a user.

[0008] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description thereof which now follows.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is a portable support tray attachable to a chair arm for accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation device. The support tray first comprises a tray component having a generally flat top surface for supporting movement of the computer navigation device. Second, the support tray includes a mount component for tightly circumferentially engaging the chair arm such that the mount component is substantially immovable when so engaged. In a preferred embodiment, an upwardly projecting lip is included as a perimeter boundary for the flat top surface, with cut-outs therein to accommodate a cord for the navigation device and for accommodating a wrist or arm portion of a user. A positional interface can be disposed between the tray component and the mount component, which themselves can be separable from each other, for permitting planar movement and placement of the tray component in relation to the mount component. Finally, if desired, vertical angular orientation of the tray component can be established and maintained with a ramp member positionable beneath the tray component. In this manner, the portable support tray here defined permits a user to ergonomically beneficially situate a custom armrest site for operating a computer navigation device such that muscle, tendon, ligament and nerve distresses are eliminated or at least reduced while navigation-device usage remains constant or increases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable support tray attached to a chair arm for accommodation of a computer navigation device;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the support tray of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the support tray of FIG. 1 in place on the chair arm and additionally includes an optional support arm;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an end elevation view partially in section of the support tray in place on a generally horizontal chair arm; and

[0015]FIG. 5 is an end elevation view partially in section of the support tray in place on an axially angular chair arm utilizing an adjuster for leveling the support tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a portable support tray 10 attachable to a chair arm 12 for accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation device, here shown as a mouse 14, is illustrated. The support tray 10 includes a tray component 16 having a generally flat top surface 18, preferably with an abrasive finish to enhance mouse traction, and an upwardly projecting lip 22 as a perimeter boundary for the top surface 18. The lip 22 preferably has a first entry 24 there through for accepting and generally retaining a cord 26 leading to the mouse 14. Width of the first entry 24 is from about ⅛ inch to about ¼ inch. Additionally, the lip 22 preferably has a second entry 28 for accepting a wrist or arm portion of a user as the wrist or arm rests during hand operation of the mouse 14. Width of the second entry 28 is preferably from about three to about four inches.

[0017] The support tray 10 additionally includes a mount component 30 for retaining the support tray 10 to the chair arm 12. In particular, the mount component 30 includes an engagement member here non-limitedly exemplified as an elongated generally U-shaped rigid bar 32 attached at one end thereof with a hinge 34 to the underside of a flat plate 36. The opposite end of the bar 32 is releasably attachable to the plate 36 with two standard bolts 38, which optionally can have respective coil springs there around for spring-tensioning as required, and wing-nuts 40 for tightly circumferentially cinching the bar 32 around a chair arm 12 as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The mount component 30 additionally includes a tray support plate 20 with which the tray component 16 is engaged as described below. As would be recognized by the skilled artisan, other engagement members can be employed, and are non-limitedly exemplified as elasticized and non-elasticized straps, opposing clamp-half structures that tightly engage each other beneath the chair arm, opposing hook-and-loop straps that engage each other beneath the chair arm, and other attachment devices as would be so recognized. In any event, the engagement member should effectuate a substantially immovable mount component when in place.

[0018] Disposed between the tray component 16 and mount component 30 is a positional interface here non-limitedly exemplified as a plurality of respective hook 46 and loop 48 elements complimentarily situated with respect to each other on respective interfacing tray-component and mount-component surfaces 50 (underside of tray component 16), 52 (top of support plate 20) for releasably retaining the tray component 16 and mount component 30 to each other over a plurality of planar placements of user choice relative each other. Thus, while the mount component 30 is secured to the chair arm 12, the tray component 16 can be separated by a user from the mount component 30, moved axially and/or laterally and/or angularly in a single generally horizontal planar orientation until comfortable for the user, and thereafter secured by the respective hook 46 and loop 48 elements interfacedly presented to each other in the tray-component position so chosen. Optionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tray component 16 can be provided with a releasably retained support bar 25 so retained by a downwardly projecting loop structure 27 passed through a proximal slot of the support bar 25 and thereafter flexibly retained in place with a cotter pin 29. The support bar 25 is indicated where a particular chair arm may be so constructed such that additional stability is needed by interfacing the distal arc of the bar 25 with a cooperating forward portion of the particular chair arm. As is apparent, the support bar 25, whose distal end can be provided with a non-slip coating as would be recognized in the art, will function to support the weight of the tray component 16 at its front edge. While the embodiment here shown provides for separation and re-orientation of the tray component 16 and mount component 30 with respect to each other, it is to be understood that these components need not be separable from each other to achieve planar movement of the tray component. In particular, a track-and-rail slide interface, a swivel interface, and/or other movable connection-structure interface, all as would be recognizable to the skilled artisan, can be employed to provide comfortable placement of the tray component 16. Finally, the support tray 10 can include a leveler here non-limitedly exemplified as a wedge structure 54 for use as where a chair arm slopes downwardly. The wedge structure 54 can be inserted between the top of the chair arm and the bottom of the support plate 20 of the mount component 30 as shown in FIG. 5 a distance sufficient to produce a level tray component 16.

[0019] In use, and as generally taught throughout the above description, a user positions the mount component 30 at a generally desired chair arm position and thereafter secures the mount component 30 to the chair arm 12 by positioning the U-shaped bar 32 to encircle the chair arm 12 and tightening the wing-nuts 40 until the mount component 30 is tightly secured. The user then places the tray component 16 of the support tray 10 above the top of the flat plate 36 in a desired orientation and thereafter places the tray component 16 in contact with the flat plate 36 for engagement of at least one pair, and preferably a plurality of, hook 46 and loop 48 elements such that the user can comfortably move a computer navigation device (e.g. a mouse) on the surface 18 of the tray component 16. Should a downward slope of the chair arm be present, the wedge structure 54 is inserted between the top of the chair arm and the bottom of the support plate 20 a distance sufficient to maintain the tray component 16 in a generally horizontal plane. Any cord leading to the navigation device is positioned through the first entry 24 through the lip 22 of the tray component 16 for cord position maintenance, while the second entry 26 comfortably accommodates the wrist and/or arm portion of the user during navigator-device movement.

[0020] While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by prior art. 

1. A portable support tray attachable to a chair arm for accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation device, the support tray comprising: a) a tray component having a generally flat top surface for supporting movement of the computer navigation device; and b) a mount component comprising an engagement member for tightly circumferentially engaging the chair arm such that the mount component is substantially immovable.
 2. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray component additionally includes an upwardly projecting lip as a perimeter boundary for the flat top surface.
 3. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lip is discontinuous along at least one portion thereof for forming at least one generally flat lateral entry through said lip to the top surface of the tray component.
 4. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at least one generally flat lateral entry has a width dimension from about ⅛ to about ¼ inch.
 5. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at least one generally flat lateral entry has a width dimension from about 3 to about 4 inches.
 6. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a positional interface between the tray component and the mount component for permitting planar movement and placement of the tray component in relation to the mount component.
 7. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 6 wherein the tray component and the mount component are releasably separable from each other and wherein the positional interface additionally releasably retains the tray component with the mount component.
 8. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 7 wherein the positional interface comprises a plurality of respective hook and loop elements complimentarily positioned to each other on respective interfacing tray-component and mount-component surfaces for releasably retaining the tray component and mount component to each other in a plurality of planar placements relative each other.
 9. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top surface of the tray component is provided with an abrasive surface for traction with the computer navigation device.
 10. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a leveler for placement beneath the tray component for overcoming a sloping chair arm and maintaining the tray component in a generally horizontal plane. 